Circuit controlling means



E. G. DE VALERA CIRCUIT CONTROLLING MEANS 3 Sheets-Sheet l July 6, 1943.

Filed Aug. 14, 1940 in l INVENTOR.

Brzcsi' G. De Va [era J y 6, 1943- v E. 6. DE VALERA 2,323,459

CIRCUIT CONTROLLING MEANS Filed Aug. 14, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.Bnzec G. De 1610a,,

July 6, 9 E. G. DE VALERA 2,323,459 I I CIRCUIT CONTROLLING MEANS FiledAug. 14, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

B178 0;; t G. De Valera,

BY MW Patented July 6, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CIRCUITCONTROLLING MEANS Ernest G. De Valera, New York, N. Y.

Application August 14, 1940, Serial No. 352,608

10 Claims.

My invention is circuit controlling means, adapted for general use.

An important object of the invention is to provide means of theabove-mentioned character which are well adapted for use in connectionwith signal devices, audible or visual.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for closing aplurality of circuits in succession, upon the closing of a circuit at agiven point.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby a suitabletime interval is provided between the closing of the circuits insuccession, so that clearly defined signals may be produced, when themeans is used in connection with signalling devices.

A further object of the invention is to provide electrical means tocause a striker to opcrate a resonant member and to open the circuit ofsuch means at about the time that the striker operates the resonantmember.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby thestriker after operating the resonant member is employed to close anothercircuit included in the means for operating a resonant member.

A further object of the invention is to provide means to retard thereturning movement of the striker from the striking position and toutilize this retarded returning movement for the closing of a circuitfor actuating another resonant member whereby a selected interval isobtainable between the signals produced.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of one of the combined striker and circuitclosing devices,

Figure 2 is a horizonal transverse section taken on line 2-2 of Figure1,

Figure 3 is a front elevation of a panel showing two of the devicesshown in Figures 1 and 2 mounted thereon,

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the devices shown in Figures 1 and 2,associated parts being shown in section taken on substantially line 4-4of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a front elevation of a slightly modifled form of combinedstriker and circuit closing device,

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of the circuits and associated elements,and

Figure 7 is a vertical section taken on line 'I-1 of Figure 2, parts inelevation.

Attention being called first to Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, the numeral 15designates a support or base. This support is shown as verticallyarranged and has rods l6 rigidly mounted thereon. The numeral l8designates resonant members, preferably producing diiferent sounds.These resonant members are shown as tubular and as substantiallycylindrical. At their upper ends, these resonant members have vibrationtransmitting elements I9, formed of rigid material, such as metal,Bakelite, or other non-metallic material. The vibration transmittingelements l9 are rigidly mounted within plugs 20, formed of rigidmaterial and these plugs are rigidly mounted within the ends of thetubular resonant members [8. It is thus seen that the vibrationtransmitting elements l9 are rigidly secured to the resonant members sothat when the vibration transmitting elements are struck the vibrationwill be transmitted to the resonant members. The vibration transmittingelements l9 are preferably cylindrical, are concentric with the resonantmembers l8 and have considerably smaller diameters than the members H3.The purpose of this is to transmit the blow from the striker to theresonant member near the center of the resonant member or inwardly ofthe periphery of the resonant member thereby improving the quality ofthe tone produced by the resonant member. The vibration transmittingelement l9 preferably has portions 2| and 22 of different diameters, sothat by striking different portions 2| or 22 the resonant member I8 willproduce different sounds. As shown in Figure 4, the vibrationtransmitting elements l9 are also employed to suspend the resonantmembers l8 and for this purpose the elements l9 preferably havelongitudinal openings 23 formed centrally thereof and these openingshave flexible elements or cables 24 anchored therein and the cablesengage over grooved nuts 24' having screw-threaded engagement with therods l6.

Disposed inwardly of the resonant members I8 and near the same, Figures1, 2, 4, and 4 are combined striking and circuit controlling devices 25.These devices are identical and a detailed description of one willsuffice. Each device 25, Figures 1 and 2, comprises a cylinder 26 ofnonmagnetic material, passing through an opening in a base 2! ofinsulating material and this base is rigidly mounted upon the support 15by screws or the like. The rear end of the cylinder 26 extends within anopening 28 formed in the base l5. The forward end of the cylinder 26 isanchored within an opening formed in a plate 29, formed of soft iron,and 30 is insulating material and 3| is a strip extending across theopen forward end of the cylinder 26 and having an opening 32. It is thusseen that the cylinder 26 and plates 2'! and 29 form a spool forreceiving a solenoid winding or coil 33. Mounted to reciprocate withinthe cylinder 26 is a plunger or core 34 formed of magnetic material suchas soft iron. This cylinder or core fits snugly within the cylinder butis free to slide therein without undue friction but will permit of but aslight escape of air between its periphery and the wall of the cylinderwhereby if the rear end of the cylinder is completely closed the airwithin the cylinder would dampen or retard the movement of the core to aconsiderable extent. This cylinder or core is a part of a striker andthe cylinder or core is equipped with a rod 35 preferably integraltherewith and this rod extends through the opening 32 and is equippednear its free end with a flange or rib 31. The rod 35 has an innershoulder 38, for a purpose to be described. Surrounding the rod 35 is acompressible coil spring 39, one end of which engages the plate 3| andthe opposite end of which engages within an annular recess 46, as shown.The purpose of this spring is to return the cylinder or core to thenormal starting position, but the spring may be omitted by arranging theparts vertical so that the cylinder or core will gravitate to thestarting position. At its forward end the rod 35 has an opening orrecess to receive a striking head 4| which may be formed of any suitablematerial. At its rear end, plunger or core 34 preferably has aspherically curved recess 42. The rear end of the cylinder 26 is coveredby a plate 43, having a gas-tight joint at its periphery with thecylinder 26. The plate 43 has an opening 44 for the passage of air.Arranged within the cylinder 26 adjacent to the plate 43 is a disk 45formed of leather. This leather disk is porous to a certain extent andpermits of the slow or retarded passage of air through the same. Whenthe solenoid is deenergized, the spring 39 tends to return the plungeror core 34 to the starting or rear position, and this return movement isretarded by the gradual escape of the air within the cylinder behind thecore, such air passing through the porous disk and escaping through theopening 44 in addition to the gradual escape of the air about theperiphery of the core. The invention is not restricted to the use of aporous leather disk for this purpose as the disk may be formed of anyother suitable material which will have the same or suitable porosity.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the rods 35 are arranged at a. right angleto the base and are disposed to strike the vibration transmittingelements ill, at the portions 22 thereof. Two of the devices are shownin Figure 3.

In Figure 5, the striking rods of the devices 25 are arranged parallelwith the support I5 and suitable means are employed to mount the devices25 upon the support l5. The vibration transmitting elements l9 and theresonant elements l8 are shown as arranged to be struck by the rods 35of the devices 25 and these elements l9 are suspended from brackets 54,as shown.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a bar of insulating material 68 is rigidlymounted upon the plate 29. The numerals 6| and 62 designate a pair ofnormally open spring contacts mounted upon the bar and insulated fromeach other. The contact 62 carries a lug 63 arranged in the path oftravel of the flange 31. The numerals 64 and 65 designate a pair ofnormally closed resilient contacts which are mounted upon the insulatingbar 68 and are insulated from each other. The free end of the contact 65is arranged to be engaged by a finger 66 pivoted between its ends at 61and the inner end of this finger is arranged between the flange 31 andthe shoulder 38.

Attention is now called to Figure 6, wherein a diagram of the circuitsis presented. It is to be understood that any suitable number of devices25 over one is to be employed and I will now describe circuits whereinfour of the devices 25 are employed and these devices 25 have beendesignated 25, 25 25 and 25 for the sake of clearness. In Figure 6, thesolenoid windings 33 are shown. In this figure, the numeral 68designates a source of current, to one terminal 69 of which is connecteda wire 16, and this wire is connected at H with one end of the firstwinding 33 of device 25 and the opposite end of the winding 33 isconnected with a wire I2, which is connected with a terminal 13 of asingle pole switch 14. such as a pushbutton and the opposite terminal ofthe switch is connected with a wire 15. Connected with the wire 10 at His a wire 16, having connection with a wire 11 connected with one end ofthe next winding 33 of the device 25* and this winding 33 is connectedwith a wire 18 and the wire 18 is connected with the terminal 19 of asingle pole switch 80, the opposite terminal of which is connected withthe wire 15. Connected with the wire 16 is a wire 8l, connected with oneend of the next winding 33 of the device 25 and the opposite end of thiswinding is connected with a wire 82 and this wire is connected with theterminal 83 of a single pole switch 84 the opposite terminal of which isconnected with the wire 15. The wire 85 is connected with the wire 16and the wire 85 is connected with one end of the next winding 33 of thedevice 25 and the opposite end of this winding is connected with a wire66 and this wire is connected with a terminal 81 of a single pole switch88 which is connected with the wire 15. Connected with the wire 15 at 89is a wire 90 which is connected at 9| with the stationary resilientcontact 64. The contact 64 normally engages the contact 65 and contact62 is electrically connected with contact 65. Contact 62 normallydisengages contact BI and is shifted into engagement with contact 6|.Contacts 6| in the devices 25, 25, and 25 are connected with wires 18,B2, and 86 respectively, Contact 64 in the device 25 is connected with awire 92 which is connected with the contact 65 of the device 25. Thecontact 64 of the device 25 is connected with wire 93 which is connectedwith the contact 65 of the device 25*. Contact 64 of the device 25 isconnected with wire 94 which is connected with contact 65 of the device25 Contact 65 in the device 25 is connected with wire 95 which isconnected with terminal 96 of the source of current 68.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

When it is desired to produce four distinct audible signals the switchor pushbutton 14 is closed. when this is done a circuit is closed toenergize the solenoid of the device 25. In this closed circuit currentwill flow from one pole of the source of current 68, through wire 'lll,point 1!, coil 33 of device 25, wire 12, switch 14, wire 15, wire 90,contact 64, contact 65, wire 82, con tact 64, contact 65, wire 93,contact 64, contact 65, wire 94, contact 64, contact 65, and wire 95back to the opposite pole of the source of current. When the solenoidwinding 33 of device 25 is energized the core 34 is thrown forwardly inopposition to the spring 39 and the head 4! will strike the vibrationtransmitting element l9 and the resonant member US will be vibrated toproduce the sound, When the striking rod 35 moves forwardly on itsstriking stroke the flange 4| engaged the lug or projection 63 andcaused contact 62 to momentarily engage contact 6| but this engagementwas broken when the flange 31 passed forwardly beyond the lug 63 andbefore there was sufficient time to energize winding 33 of the device25". Therefore, when the core 34 of the device 25 is in the forwardposition to strike the resonant element, the flange 3'! is arrangedforwardly of the lug 63 and contacts 6| and 62 are open. At about thetime that the core 34 has moved to the forward position to strike theresonant member, the shoulder 38 has moved forwardly and engages thefinger 66 and this finger will move contact 65 out of engagement withcontact 64, thereby opening the circuit of the winding 33 of the device25. at contacts 65 and 64. The solenoid winding 33 of the device 25being new deenergized (the switch 14 being now open and it would make nodifference if this switch were again closed during this period), thecore 34 in the device 25 is moved in a retarded manner to the rearposition by the action of the spring 39 and the air entrapped in therear end of the cylinder 26 gradually escapes through the porous disk45. The finger 66 remains in the set position and retains contact 65 outof engagement with contact 64 until the core nears the rear position, atwhich time flange 31 shifts the finger 66, which releases contact 55which again engages contact 64. It is thus seen that after the circuithas been closed for energizing the winding 33, device 25, the circuit ofthis winding is opened at points 64 and 65 and remains open until thecore returns to the rear starting position at which time the circuit isagain closed at contacts 64 and 65. The flange 31 momentarily caused thecontact 62 to engage contact 6| and then traveled forwardly beyond thelug 63. When the core 34 moves rearwardly and nears the rear end of itsstroke the flange 31 again engages projection 63 and contact 62 isbrought into engagement with contact 6| and contacts 62 and 6! are heldin engagement a suflicient length of time for energizing the winding 33of the device 25 but flange 31 has shortlybefore this engaged andshifted lever 66 so that contacts 65 and 64 engage. After this, thecontinued rearward movement of the core 34 causes the flange 31 todisengage projection and contact 62 again disengages contact It is thusseen that at about the time that contact 65 again engages contact 64,contact 62 engages contact 6|, and contact 62 shortly thereafterdisengages contact 6|. As stated, after the core 34 of device 25 movesto the forward position and returns to a point near the rear position, acircuit is closed for energizing the winding 33 of the device 25=-. Inthis closed circuit current will flow from the source of current 68through Wire 10, point H, wire 16, wire 11, winding 33 of device 25*,wire '18, contact 6|, contact 62, wire 95 back to the source of current63. The winding of the device 25 is therefore energized and its rod 35strikes the resonant member to produce the audible signal. When thewinding 33 of the device 25 is energized, its core moves forwardly andthe circuit is opened at contacts 64 and 65, device 25*, when the rodstrikes the resonant member of device 25**, and when the core of device25 approaches the rear position the circuit is again closed at contacts64 and 65, device 25 and also closed at contacts 62 and 61, device 25*,a sufficient length of time to energize the winding 33 of device 25after which contact 62 disengages contact 6|. When contact 62 engagescontact 6|, device 25, to energize winding 33, device 25 current flowsfrom the source of current 68, through wire 10, wire 16, wire 8|,winding 33, device 25 wire 82, contact GI and contact 62, device 25*,wire 94, contact 64 and 65, device 25, and through wire 95 back to thesource of current. In a similar manner, when winding 33 of device 25 isenergized, a circuit will be subsequently closed to energize winding 33,device 25. It should be noted that when the switch 74 is closed the fourdevices 25, 25 25 and 25 will be operated to produce in succession fouraudible signals; that when the switch is closed and the remainingswitches open that three audible signals are produced in succession;that when the switch 84 is closed and the remaining switches are openthat two audible signals are produced in succession; and that when theswitch 88 is closed while the remaining switches are open that only oneaudible signal is produced. It is thus apparent that a selected numberof audible signals may be obtained.

I have shown and described four devices 25, 25, 25 and 25 for operatingfour resonant elements, but any number of such devices may be connectedin series. When four devices are used the contacts 6| and 6201 thedevice 25 would be omitted but these have been illustrated to indicatethat other devices may be connected in series. I

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown anddescribed are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and thatvarious changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may beresorted to, and other uses, and materials employed, without departingfrom the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In apparatus of the character describedya solenoid winding, a coremoved in one direction by the winding and shiftable in an oppositedirection, a dash-pot to retard the movement of the core in the oppositedirection, a normally closed circuit closing device opened when the coreis moved in the said one direction and remaining open until the coremoves in the said opposite direction, and a normally open circuitclosing device closed and subsequently opened when the core is moved inthe said opposite direction.

2. In apparatus of the character described, a solenoid winding, a coreshifted rapidly in one direction by the winding and movable in anopposite direction, mean to retard the movement of the core in theopposite direction so that it moves slowly, a normally closed circuitclosing device opened by the core when the core approaches the end ofits movement caused by the solenoid winding, and a normally open circuitclosing device which is momentarily closed and then opened when the corei shifted by the solenoid winding and closed for a longer period andsubsequently opened when the core moves in an opposite direction.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a solenoid winding, a coreshiftable into the winding and having a rod provided with spaced tripelements, a normally closed circuit closing device, a movable elementshifted by one trip element to open the circuit closing device andshifted by the other trip element to cause the closing of the circuitclosing device, and a normally open circuit closing device having a partengaged by one trip element to close and open the same upon the movementof the core in one direction.

4. In apparatus of the character described, a solenoid winding, a coreshiftable into the solenoid winding when the winding is energized andhaving a rod, a normally closed circuit closing device, a movableelement arranged near the rod, a trip element carried by the rod andengaging and shifting the movable element to open the normally closedcircuit closing device when the core is moved inwardly by the solenoidwinding, a second trip element carried by the rod and engaging andshifting the movable element so that it causes the circuit closingdevice to close when the core move in an opposite direction, a normallyopen circuit closing device having an engaging part disposed in th pathof travel of the second named trip element of the rod so that thenormally open circuit closing device is closed and subsequently openedwhen the core moves inwardly by the action of the solenoid winding.

5. In apparatus of the character described, a solenoid winding, a coreshiftable inwardly by the solenoid winding when it is energized, meansto cause the core to move outwardly at a slower 'speed when the solenoidwinding is deenergized, a rod connected with the core, said rod havingan inner trip element and an outer trip element spaced from the innertrip element, a normally closed circuit closing device adapted tocontrol the circuit, for the solenoid winding, a pivoted lever adaptedto be engaged by the inner trip element and shifted thereby to open thenormally closed circuit closing device, the pivoted lever remaining inthe shifted position until again moved, the pivoted lever being alsoarranged to be engaged and shifted by the outer trip element whereby thesame causes the circuit closing device to close, and a normally opencircuit closing device having a part arranged in the path of travel ofthe outer trip element to be engaged and moved by the outer trip elementwhen the core is moved inwardly and outwardly.

6. In apparatus of the character described, a solenoid winding, 2. coreshiitable inwardly by the solenoid winding when it is energized, meansto cause the core to move outwardly at a slower speed when the solenoidwinding is deenergized, a rod connected with. the core, said rod havingan inner trip element and an outer trip element spaced from the innertrip element, a normally closed circuit closing device, a pivoted leveradapted to be engaged by the inner trip element when the core movesinwardly to open the normally closed circuit closing device, the pivotedlever remaining in the shifted position until again moved, the pivotedlever being also arranged to be shifted by the outer trip element whenthe core moves outwardly for closing the circuit closing device, and anormally open circuit closing device having a part arranged in path oftravel of the outer trip element to be engaged and disengaged therebyupon the beginning of the inward movement of the core and to be engagedand disengaged by said outer trip element when the core moves outwardlyand approaches the end of its outward movement, said lever and partbeing 50 arranged that the outer trip element engages and shifts thelever prior to its engagement and shifting of said part upon the outwardmovement of the core.

7. In apparatus of the character described, a solenoid winding, a coreshiftable inwardly by the solenoid winding when it is energized, meansto cause the core to move outwardly at a slower speed when the solenoidwinding is deenergized, a rod connected with the core and having tripelements spaced longitudinally thereof, a circuit closing device, meansto operate the circuit closing device and having a part arranged betweenthe trip. elements to be alternately engaged thereby, a second circuitclosing device, an operating part secured to the second circuit closingdevice, said operating part being arranged in the path of travel of oneof the trip elements to be operated thereby when the rod is shifted inopposite directions.

8. In apparatus of the character described, a solenoid Winding, a coreshiftable inwardly by the solenoid winding when it is energized, aspring to move the core outwardly, means forming a dash-pot to retardthe outward movement of the core, a rod attached to the core and havingan inner shoulder and an outer flange, a normally closed circuit closingdevice, a pivoted lever to operate the circuit closing device andarranged upon one side of the rod between the shoulder and the outerflange to alternately engage therewith, a normally open circuit closingdevice, and an operating part secured to the normally open circuitclosing device and arranged upon the opposite side of the rod anddisposed in the path of travel of the outer flange.

9. In apparatus of the character described, a solenoid Winding, a coreshiftable inwardly by the solenoid winding when it is energized, meansto cause the core to move outwardly at a slower speed when the solenoidwinding is deenergizecl, a rod connected with the core, said rod havingan inner trip element and an outer trip element spaced from the innertrip element, the outer trip element being relatively narrow, a normallyclosed circuit closing device, a pivoted lever arranged near thenormally closed circuit closing device to engage therewith and open thesame, said lever having one end permanently arranged between the innerand outer trip elements to be alternately engaged thereby, a normallyopen circuit closing device, and a part carried by the normally opencircuit closing device and arranged in the path of travel of the outertrip element to be moved thereby, the outer trip element being movableto positions upon opposite sides of said part.

10. In apparatus of the character described, a solenoid winding, a coremoved in one direction by the Winding and shiftable in an oppositedirection, means to retard the movement of the core in the said oppositedirection so that it moves slowly, a normally closed circuit closingdevice, a normally open circuit closing device, and means operated bythe core to open the normally closed circuit closing device when thecore moves in the said one direction and to momentarily close the saidnormally open circuit closing device and then permit the normally opencircuit closing device to open and said means when the core moves in thesaid opposite direction serving to again close the normally open circuitclosing device and to retain the same closed for a greater length of timthan the momentary closing of the same and to again permit the normallyopen circuit closing device to open and to permit the normally closedcircuit closing device to close.

ERNEST G. DE VALERA.

